The Guingamp ramparts were built between 1443 and 1454 as part of a vast defensive project initiated in the 15th century. They completed a castle erected a few years earlier, between 1438 and 1442, under the impulse of Peter II, central figure of their construction. This fortified system reflected the strategic needs of Brittany at a time marked by feudal conflicts and the consolidation of ducal power.
The castle, originally conceived as a residential fortress, was dismantled in 1626 by order of Cardinal Richelieu, in a context of reducing private strongholds after the nobiliary revolts. The towers were razed to the level of the ramparts, leaving only the latter, partially preserved until today. The current remains, protected since 1943 by a registration order, illustrate the evolution of military techniques between the Middle Ages and modern times.
Situated in the city centre of Guingamp (Côtes d'Armor), the ramparts are now integrated into the urban heritage, although their precise location remains approximate according to available sources. Their property is shared between private actors and the municipality, without their accessibility to the public being clearly documented. The associated cadastral plots cover an extended perimeter, reflecting the original extent of the enclosure.
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